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Warrior
Heartland
Vol.14 No. 4 April 2009
Serving the men and women of the 434th Air Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Ind.
Changing of the guard:
New honor guard NCOIC takes charge, seeks recruits
By SrA. Carl Berry
Public Affairs staff
Throughout the Air
Force’s history the honor
guard has represented
every past, present and
future member of the
United States Air Force in
ceremonies and events.
Master Sgt. Timothy
Wood, 434th Services
Flight shift supervisor,
recently replaced Senior
Master Sgt. Linda Mason,
434th Aerospace Medicine
Squadron, as the Grissom
Base Honor Guard
noncommissioned officer in
charge recently.
Sergeant Wood has
been an active member
of the base honor guard
for the last six years.
He has participated in Photo by Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays
numerous events including Tech. Sgt. Nathan Greathouse, a personnel specialist with the 434th Maintenance Squadron,
military funeral honors, folds the flag as part of a funeral detail during an honor guard graduation ceremony. Members
retirement ceremonies, of the 434th Air Refueling Wing were joined by classmates from the Air National Guard and
Army Reserve to complete honor guard training here at Grissom. The training culminated
and presenting the colors
with a display of precision movements required to pay respect those who have served.
at nationally televised
sporting events and other cake,” he said. Often members of the standing for prolonged
various community service However, the honor guard honor guard leave early periods, in all weather
activities. is not for everyone, he in the morning for details conditions; it takes a lot
“Serving in the Air Force added. and return late in the to stand there, motionless,
has been a dream of mine It takes an Airman with evenings. Some details are by choice,” he said. “But,
and getting selected as the a lot of heart, desire and completed in the bitter cold we’re not out there for
NCOIC for the honor guard commitment, said Sergeant or scorching heat.
has been the icing on the See Honor guard, page 3
Wood. “We are out there
Inside perspective
Teamwork builds mission success
By Lt. Col. Stephen Melroy
379th Expeditionary MXG
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- I am not
much into fist-pumping speeches
or flowery phrases to get a point
across, so here is the important fact:
teamwork.
Teamwork is vital for our success
every day in and around the base.
When I was a squadron commander,
I used to show a video clip from
a commercial. It showed several
hundred very small fish in an
unorganized mass fleeing a large
shark. As the shark was about to
gobble up several of these fish, the
animation changed and all of the Graphic by Staff Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner
smaller fish aligned to become an gizmos the 21st century offers like Secondly, if you are a team leader,
image of a much larger fish than the text messaging, e-mail or similar try and articulate your goals as clearly
shark. They then turned on the shark communication methods. as possible. Find those critical pieces
and chased it away. I think everyone has heard at some that will enable success within your
I was struck by the simplicity point in their life that communication team; things like adhering to technical
of the commercial and the way it is the key to success. I am going data while doing a maintenance task
portrayed teamwork in action. Several to put a different spin on this and or being a good wingman 24/7. Then
individuals -- in this case, the small fish emphasize good, old-fashion face- stress those verbally over and over
-- coming together to face a challenge to-face communication. While the wherever possible. These fundamentals
and achieve what they could not do size of the team can and does matter, should never leave your vocabulary
individually. I could speak at length you can still build a team or be a and should be repeated often.
about the importance of teamwork and better team member by seeking to do Finally, communicate wherever
never achieved the simple message that business in person. This may be less possible in person to get your message
came from that 30-second commercial. efficient than e-mail, but it helps build across. This will show your personal
Teamwork is a must for our relationships as you continue to meet involvement and commitment to
challenges in the Air Force. I don’t other challenges. solving a challenge. People are much
have a neat acronym for the word I make a plea today to everyone more willing to work with you and
“team” to help remember some reading this: Get away from the help solve a problem, if you show that
basic principles, but I do offer some computer; go out into the shops, level of concern and commitment. Be
observations from 24 years in uniform flightline or wherever and work issues an active team member -- be a voice
that I found helpful in building teams. face-to-face. Push the chair back, put to be heard and have a piece in solving
It’s simple in its prescription, but goes your hat on and go find those who you the issues confronting your team.
against the efficiencies those wonderful need to make it happen. (AFNS)
Warrior
Heartland Warrior are not necessarily the content should be directed to the
official views of, or endorsed editor (765) 688-3348.
by, the U.S. Government, the
Vol. 14, No. 4 Department of Defense, or the Staff
April 2009 Department of the Air Force. Brig. Gen. Dean Despinoy..................commander
Lt. Col. Gary Lockard............chief, public affairs
This funded Air Force Re- The editorial content is ed- Capt. Kelly Howard.............public affairs officer World Wide Web
ited, and prepared by the Public Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays....................................editor
serve Command newspaper is Staff Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner..assist. editor Air Force Reserve Home Page
an authorized publication for Affairs Office of the 434th Air Master Sgt. Rob Hoffman........................graphics
Tech. Sgt. Patrick Kuminecz...........photographer http://www.afrc.af.mil
members of the U.S. military Refueling Wing, Grissom ARB, Staff Sgt. Chris Bolen...........................staff writer Grissom Home Page
services. IN, 46971-5000. Staff Sgt. Ben Mota..............................staff writer
SrA. Carl Berry..................................staff writer http://www.grissom.afrc.af.mil
Contents of the Heartland Any questions regarding any Penny Pearson................................administration
2 Heartland Warrior
Local News
Sew-ouie!
Master Sgt. Steven
Kulik, 434th
Aerospace Medicine
Squadron medical
technician, practices
suturing on a pig’s
foot during the
March unit training
assembly. Practicing
on pig’s feet allows
434th AMDS to get
realistic training
without having to
peform procedures
on a human body.
This training allows
personnel to become
familiar with the feel
of various procedures,
so should they need
arise, they would
have the experience
to perform them on a
Photo by Senior Airman Carl Berry human patient.
Honor guard, from page 1
ourselves; we’re out
there to serve the military
members and their families,
as the last integral part of
closure.”
Grissom Airmen who
are interested in joining
the base honor guard
must go through a special
application process, which
includes disclosure about
availability and interviews
with supervisors.
“A servicemember
must have the heart,” said
Sergeant Wood. “If the
sound of Taps or seeing
the American flag does not
send chills up your spine
then the honor guard may
not be for you.”
If selected, Airmen must
attend one-week of intense
training and are asked to Photo by Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays
commit to a minimum of Staff Sgt. Kelly Ehrsam, 122nd Fighter Wing, Fort Wayne Air National Guard, plays Taps as
six details per year. part of a funeral detail during an honor guard graduation ceremony held recently. Members
“It truly is rewarding,” of the 434th Air Refueling Wing were joined by members of the Air National Guard and Army
concluded Sergeant Wood. Reserve as they went through and intense week of honor guard training.
April 2009 3
Feature
Grissom dentists fight cavities
one t th at a time
Photos by Staff Sgt. Chris Bolen
ABOVE: Maj. Michael Polomchak, 434th Maintenance Operations Flight
commander, opens his mouth wide for Lt. Col. (Dr.) Craig Wisler, 434th
Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental services chief, during his annual
physical dental evaluation. A reservist’s physical health is critical for
mobility readiness, and this includes their dental condition.
RIGHT: Lt. Col. (Dr.) Craig Wisler, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron,
performs a dental examination on Maj. Michael Polomchak, 434th
Maintenance Operations Flight commander, during his annual
physical. A full dental examination by a Grissom dentist is required
during the “long” physical. Prior to their “short” physical reservists
must have a DD Form 2813 completed by their personal dentist and
return the completed form to the Grissom dental clinic. Failure to do so
leaves their physical in an incomplete status.
LEFT: Senior Airman
Nicholas Obusek sits
back and allows Lt. Col.
(Dr.) Craig Wisler to go to
work performing a dental
evaluation on the aircraft
structural maintenance
apprentice from the 434th
Maintenance Squadron
as Staff Sgt. John C.
Dietz, Jr. watches makes
notes in a medical file.
Both Colonel Wisler
and Sergeant Dietz are
assigned to the 434th
Aerospace Medicine
Squadron. A reservist’s
physical health is critical
for mobility readiness,
and this includes their
dental condition.
4 Heartland Warrior
News
AF wear tests new PT uniform
By Mr. Mike Wallace sizes, ethnic backgrounds, the current PT uniform in people do in PT," he said.
Skywrighter Staff officers--including 42 features including: no hood "We have the three-times-a-
general officers, and or vents, better reflectivity, week Airmen, and we have
WRIGHT-PATTERSON enlisted, to wear during PT decreased noise and lighter people who exercise longer,
AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio three or more times a week. weight. The uniform such as marathon runners.
-- A prototype physical At the end of this month, consists of a jacket and We require the volunteers
training uniform for the Air the Air Force Uniform slacks, T-shirt, and tapered to keep logs of exercise and
Force is undergoing wear Office here will evaluate the shorts with pockets and laundry cycles."
testing at Wright Patterson uniform's performance from comfortable liner. The prototype uniform
Air Force base, Ohio, the feedback provided by the Emphasizing that the laundry instructions include
Pentagon and MacDill wearers. uniform still is in testing, washing in cold water using
AFB, Fla. Capt. Nick Ferry, program Captain Ferry said that mild detergents, and not
The new design was manager for the PT uniform, wearers initially "loved the using fabric softeners or
introduced last described it as "100 percent fabric." He added they also dryer sheets since chemicals
month at the polyester with a moisture "appreciated the longer from these could clog the
three sites for management system and an length in shorts and the pores of the uniform's
185 males anti-odor lining." better fitting liner." polyester material and affect
and females He added that the Captain Ferry said that performance.
of various prototypes differ from volunteers were carefully The PT uniform currently
measured, and they in use was adopted in 2004
were. from an Air Force Academy
"We have the design, and technicians here
whole gamut modified it for general Air
of what Force use. Feedback on the
uniform's heat, weight, and
discomfort when compared
to exercise clothing
available commercially
led to creating the new
uniform.
Following the wear
test, Captain Ferry
said “there'll be a final
survey, and we'll
analyze peoples'
likes and dislikes to
see if further tests
or modifications
are needed. Then,
we'd brief at the
Chief of Staff
level, and from
there it's a go or
no-go." (AFNS)
Photo by Bonnie White
Graphic Illustration by Staff Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner
April 2009 5
Feature
Par for Par:
Airmen learn post-
attack recovery skills
By Staff Sgt. Mark and casualties, and
Orders-Woempner administer aid when needed.
Public Affairs staff These are called post-
attack recovery teams, and
Sirens blazing, Airmen they provide invaluable
bunker down as thunderous intelligence to base
explosions rage outside -- leadership after an attack has
BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! happened.
Then, silence... This information is used
From basic training to determine where an
on, most Airmen have attack has occurred, where
been taught the skills to hazardous contamination is
survive and operate during and where it may go, and
an chemical, biological, which areas are safe.
radiological, nuclear or Knowing this allows
conventional attack. commanders to protect their
But, before most can people while continuing
put their skills to the test, with the mission.
a special group of people During a recent training
must go out along side session here, over 30
civil engineers, report back Airmen learned what it takes
Photos by Tech. Sgt. Patrick Kuminecz damages, contaminations to be an effective PAR team.
TOP: Oakah Hays, 434th
Civil Engineers Squadron
emergency management
office, briefs Airmen taking
the post-attack-recovery
class during a March
unit training assembly.
The training is part of
preparations for upcoming
exercises and inspections,
but provide Airmen with the
skills that may one day save
their lives and the lives of
others.
LEFT: Staff Sgt. Nick
Delaurentis, 434th Services
Squadron fitness specialist,
is loaded up with post-attack-
recovery and identification
kits by Robert Wydock, 434th
Civil Engineers Squadron
emergency management
technician. These kits help
Airmen who are part of PAR
teams safely and effectively
identify, report and deal with
hazards after an attack has
happened on a base.
6 Heartland Warrior
AF News
AF mourns the loss of first CMSAF
Senior Master Sgt. Sean Cobb Air Forces on Nov. 16, 1942. He later numerous Air Force and enlisted
Office of the CMSAF earned his high school equivalency professional military organizations
certificate through off-duty study. throughout the years. He was a
WASHINGTON -- Former Chief Chief Airey held the top enlisted member of the Board of Trustees for
Master Sergeant of the Air Force from April 3, 1967 to July 31, 1969. the Airmen Memorial Museum, a
Paul Wesley Airey died March 11 in During his tenure he worked to member of the Air Force Memorial
Panama City, Fla. change loan establishments charging Foundation and the Air University
"Chief Airey was an Airman's exorbitant rates outside the air base Foundation.
Airman and one of the true pioneers gates and to improve low retention After retirement, Chief Airey lived
for our service," said Gen. Norton during the Vietnam Conflict. Chief in Panama City, Fla. with his wife
Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. Airey also led a team that laid the Shirley. Mrs. Airey died in 2001.
"He was a warrior, an Chief Airey was always
innovator, and a leader with proud of Airmen. "I have
vision well ahead of his seen many changes as we
time. His legacy lives today progressed from simple air
in the truly professional power to today's aerospace
enlisted force we have force. The enlisted corps has
serving our nation, and for kept pace with that progress,
that we owe him a debt of for it is pride and dedication
gratitude." that keep enlisted men at
"Chief Airey is the most their posts, not the lure of an
respected enlisted Airmen in easy life and secure future.
the history of the Air Force," It is the desire to serve
said Chief Master Sergeant our country that motivates
of the Air Force Rodney J. today's Air Force," he said
McKinley. "When we speak at the Air Force's 20th
of today's Airmen standing Anniversary ceremony in
upon the shoulders of giants 1967.
as they reach for the sky On the north wall of the
and stars -- it was upon Air Force Memorial in
Paul Airey's shoulders they Washington D.C., Chief
stood. We will truly miss Airey's thoughts on Airmen
his leadership, counsel and are immortalized, "When
friendship." I think of the enlisted
The first CMSAF was force, I see dedication,
always a leader. During determination, loyalty and
World War II he flew as valor."
a B-24 radio operator The Air Force Association
and additional duty aerial honored Chief Airey with
gunner. On his 28th Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
its Lifetime Achievement
mission, then-Technical Chief Master Sgt. Paul Airey Award in 2007.
Sergeant Airey and his Chief Airey truly spent a
fellow crewmen were shot foundation for the Weighted Airman lifetime serving a nation and a force he
down over Vienna, Austria, captured, Promotion System, a system that has loved, said Michael Donley, Secretary
and held prisoner by the German air stood the test of time and which is of the Air Force. "From his first days
force from July 1944 to May 1945. still in use today. He also advocated flying World War II combat missions
During his time as a prisoner of war for an Air Force-level Senior in Europe, to his work improving the
he worked tirelessly to meet the Noncommissioned Officer Academy. welfare of enlisted personnel as the
basic needs of fellow prisoners, even His vision became reality when the first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air
through a 90-day forced march. academy opened in 1973, becoming Force, and his recent role as a mentor
Chief Airey was born in Quincy, the capstone in the development of Air to today's Airmen, Chief Airey was
Mass., on Dec. 13, 1923. At age Force Senior NCOs. a man of honor and commitment
eighteen, shortly after the bombing of Chief Airey retired Aug. 1, 1970. to things greater than himself. His
Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Airey He continued advocating for Airmen's passing is mourned by all Airmen
quit high school to enlist in the Army rights by serving on the boards of around the globe." (AFNS)
April 2009 7
Firefighters train, stay ready to respond
Master Sgt. Gary Smith, a fire protection journeyman with the 434th Civil Engineers Squadron, puts on his j-list fire protection
ensemble during a recent exercise. Wearing the suit allows them to battle fires in a chemical environment.
Photos by Staff Sgt. Mark Orders-Woempner
A Reserve firefighter simulates ventillating a roof during
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Huff, a fire protection apprentice relieves an exercise conducted during the alternate unit training
pressure from a fire supply line following an exercise held by assembly. The firemen are training for an operational
434th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters. readiness inspection.
8 Heartland Warrior
